Contact: Dan Hubbard, 202-431-5970, dhubbard@nbaa.org
Orlando, FL, March 29, 2024 – An extraordinary lineup of experts unpacked the top considerations inherent in an increasingly complicated global aviation environment for a venue filled with more than 500 professionals at the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) International Operators Conference (IOC2024), held in Orlando, FL, from March 26 – 28.
Conference attendees, representing 17 countries and 40 U.S. states, had access to analysts’ perspectives on the most pressing concerns in the international aviation arena – from geopolitical developments to the increasing need for awareness of emerging security threats on the ground and in the air, to the often-divergent operational requirements among geographic regions and countries – included among a host of topics in focus.
“This year’s conference reached a new altitude in bringing the industry together to remain on top of an ever-changing global aviation landscape, with insights from leaders in the field, dedicated sessions with actionable intelligence and peer-to-peer learning opportunities unavailable at any other industry event,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Attendees have come away informed and inspired about the opportunities on the world stage.”
An Inspiring Keynote
The theme for this year’s conference, “Aviate and Communicate – Bringing Inspiration to Your International Operations,” was fitting for an uplifting opening keynote address by Ron Mumm, a former military fighter pilot and commander of the iconic U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team.
Mumm, who also led business aviation operations for some of the world’s largest companies, skillfully combined stories from his flying career with lessons learned about the importance of inclusion in teamwork. “When you include everyone, there’s a challenge in ensuring individual voices are heard, while simultaneously making the collective as good as it can be,” Mumm noted. Read more about the IOC2024 keynote session.
An Urgent Call to Action
During the event, industry leaders also issued a powerful call to action on two advocacy priorities.
Darryl Young, director, trip support at AEG Fuels, took the stage to warn about plans from government leaders to impose onerous new taxes and IRS audits on business aviation. Attendees were urged to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill with NBAA’s call to action.
Young was joined on stage by Mente Director of Flight Operations Mark McIntyre, Nancy Bsales, COO, sustainability 4AIR and Bas de Bruijn, senior director of aviation, Dell Technologies, to discuss CLIMBING. FAST, the new advocacy campaign to showcase business aviation’s mission to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Young and de Bruijn urged attendees to visit the campaign’s website, learn more and help spread the word about the industry’s sustainability leadership.
Resources and Recognition
This year’s IOC was the occasion for the introduction of a new tool, the “International Flight Plan Format Guide,” aimed at helping operators comply with varying requirements for flight plans from the FAA, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and foreign regulators. View NBAA’s New International Flight Plan Format Guide.
The event also provided a moment to recognize excellence in the industry, when Mente’s McIntyre and Shawn Scott, co-founder of Scott International Procedures, were honored with the Guy Gribble IOC Appreciation Award for dedicated service to NBAA’s International Operators Committee. Learn more about the Guy Gribble IOC Appreciation Award. The committee also recognized several recipients of business aviation professional development scholarships. Learn more about this year’s recipients.
A Series of Strong Events
NBAA’s 2024 International Operators Conference is the latest in a series of highly successful events on the business aviation calendar this year, including the association’s largest-ever Regional Forum in Miami Opa-locka on Jan. 31; NBAA’s record-shattering Leadership Conference in Palm Springs, CA on Feb. 8; and the blockbuster NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference held in Fort Worth, TX from March 12-14.
Those who were unable to attend IOC2024 can view virtual education sessions, now available online. The 2025 International Operators Conference is scheduled for Feb. 11-13 in San Juan, PR.
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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 10,000 company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.
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